Obituary: Vernon V. Warnke, 86

Vernon V. Warnke, 86, died Feb. 2, 2013 at Bryan East Hospital in Lincoln. He was born Nov. 28, 1926 at Cook to William R. and Mary (Stiehl) Warnke.

Vernon V. Warnke, 86, died Feb. 2, 2013 at Bryan East Hospital in Lincoln. He was born Nov. 28, 1926 at Cook to William R. and Mary (Stiehl) Warnke.

When Vernon was younger he learned to play the guitar, banjo and harmonica and always dreamed of playing at the Grand Old Opera. He loved country music the best. On Jan. 13, 1946 he married Mary Lou Millet in Holton, Kan. They lived in Nebraska City where he worked as a carpenter.

Vernon and Mary Lou farmed near Burr from 1949 to 1954 when they bought a farm three miles north of Unadilla. Here they started a dairy farm and had it for 12 years. In 1981 they retired from farming. In 1984 Vernon started to work at the First National Bank in Syracuse as the head of maintenance.

Vernon was involved in 4-H as a leader for 10 years, served on the School Board at Unadilla for two years, Unadilla Elevator for six years, the Little Nemaha Watershed Board, the Extension Board six years, the Church Board three terms and the NRD Board. He loved to build tractors by hand, woodworking and collecting toy farming equipment.

He was preceded by wife Mary Lou, son Myron Lynn Warnke, a brother and a sister. Funeral services were held Feb. 5 at St. John’s United Church of Christ. Graveside services were held at 1:30 p.m. at Wyuka Cemetery in Nebraska City.

The family suggests memorials to the family’s choice.

Fusselman-Allen-Harvey Funeral Home, Syracuse, was in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be made to www.fusselmanallenharvey.com.